Pick or plectrum



Aug; 22, 1939. Hl w WOLCOTT 2,170,179

PICK OR 'PLECTRUM Filed April 7, 1938 /4 Syvum HWWOZMZ Patented Aug. 22,1939 PATENT OFFICE PICK OR PLECTRUM Hollis W. Wolcott,

Mount Vernon, Ohio Application April 7, 1938, Serial No. 200,783

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a pick or plectrum to be used for setting orimparting motion to the strings of certain musical instruments and byway of example, of the guitar.

It is particularly aimed to provide such a pick as' will practicallyeliminate noise now occasioned by contact of the usual pick with thestrings, and more particularly to provide a pick with the use of which,the tone and quality of the music will be enhanced, and in which thepicking may be effected more rapidly and efliciently, and in which thepick does not require breaking in and is less subject to fracture ordamage.

A very important object of the invention is to provide a pick of rubberor rubber composition which is flexible and yieldable althoughrelatively stili.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the description following taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of one form of pick constructed inaccordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a modied form of pick;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a front elevation of another form of pick; and

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8 of Figure '7.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or similar parts, one embodiment of the pick is disclosedin Figures l, 2 and 3, being designated I0 as a whole and generallytriangular in shape so as to provide three points or corners, all ofwhich are preferably rounded. One edge of such pick I0 may be blunt ifdesired as at I I While the pick is chamfered or reduced toward itsother edges as at I2, if desired.

The said pick is made of a resilient or yieldable material, usuallyrubber or a rubber composition and the exterior or string engagingsurface of the pick is yieldable or elastic, although the pick isrelatively stiff.

Various modications may be resorted to, for instance the form ofFiguresI 4, 5 and 6 being employed, this form being of the same materialas Figure 1 and substantially triangular so as to have three points.This pick or body generally designated Illa, is chamfered from thecenter to all of the edges and to facilitate gripping and manipulationpreferably has central depressions at I3, extending inwardly fromopposite sides or faces.

Still another modification as in Figures '7 and 8 is suggested, the samebeing of like material as the other forms. This pick or body isgenerally designated Ib, having for instance a single picking point orportion as at I 4, the pick being generally round and enlarged toprovide said portion I4. The upper edge portion of the pick IIlb` may berelatively blunt or rounded as at I5 and chamfered toward the point orportion I4. In opposite surfaces, depressions I 3a, like those at I3,may be provided.

Such a pick as is alforded by the various forms, is highly advantageouswhen made of the relatively stili though elastic rubber, since a hardsurface will not contact the strings of the musical instrument, and thecontact of the pick with the strings will be practically noiseless, thusenhancing the tone and quality and harmony of the resulting music. Inaddition, I find that picking of the strings may be eifected morerapidly with less danger of breakage in View of the toughness of therubber or rubber composition, and may be used without a breaking inprocess, will wear longer and indenitely and is generally moreadvantageous and emcient.

This pick or plectrum has an advantage over the picks now in use in thatit has or oifers added protection to the instrument used, in that itwill not scratch or mar the surface of the instrument, as do those incommon use now.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A pick of the class described, having a body of relatively stilielastic material having a plurality of picking points, the body beingchamfered toward all of said points.

2. A pick of the class described, having a body of relatively stiffelastic material having a plurality of picking points, the body having adepression in one side thereof positioned to facilitate ringerengagement and manipulation of either point, the body being chamferedtoward all of the points.

3. A pick of the class described, having a substantially triangular bodyof relatively stiff elastic rubber, the body having depressions inopposite sides thereof positioned for linger engagement to facilitatemanipulation of either point, the body being chamfered toward all of thepoints.

HOLLIS W. WOLCOTT.

